This article is reprinted with permission of Commercial Fisheries News, the Northeast's fishing newspaper for over 30 years, ©2003 Compass Publications Inc. Commercial Fisheries News is published monthly; annual subscriptions are $21.95. To subscribe or request a sample issue: call (877) 263-4496; fax (207) 367-2490; e-mail (cfoster@fish-news.com); or click on the hot link.
PORTLAND, ME - Are you interested in getting involved in collaborative research? The Gulf of Maine Aquarium (GMA) is hosting a series of workshops to assist Maine fishermen in learning how to develop a proposal for collaborative research funding. The workshops are aimed at integrating the unique expertise of fishermen and scientists to produce innovative and successful projects.
With support from Northwest Atlantic Marine Alliance, Maine Cooperative Fishermen's Association and the Northeast Consortium, GMA hopes these workshops will encourage the development of research proposals to submit to the Northeast Consortium in January or to other funders supporting collaborative research in the region.
A series of four workshops will be held each Friday from noon to 4 pm, Nov. 16 to Dec.14 in the Portland area. An introductory workshop will also be held in Boothbay and Port Clyde from 7-9 pm on Nov. 14 and 15. Participants in the initial workshop will learn about the experiences of fishermen and scientists who have been involved in collaborative research and the resources available to become involved.
For a more detailed schedule, click on one of the Portland workshops, below.
Subsequent workshops will offer an introduction to the scientific process used by researchers for a particular subject area (gear research, oceanography, habitat research and stock assessments), followed by a discussion of the various questions, concerns and research suggestions by both the scientists and the fishermen.
Format
Participants in the initial workshop will learn about the experiences of fishermen and scientists who have been involved in collaborative research and the resources available to become involved. Subsequent workshops will offer an introduction to the scientific process used by researchers for a particular subject area (gear research, oceanography, habitat research and stock assessments) followed by a discussion of the various questions, concerns and research suggestions by both the scientists and the fishermen. The workshops will be interactive to get ideas generated and produce successful proposals.
Who should attend
Any fisherman who would like to become involved in collaborative research is encouraged to attend. This includes those who have not yet been involved in fisheries research and fishermen who have some experience in collaborative research projects. You are encouraged to attend all four workshops in the series, although not required.
For more information
Contact Laura Taylor Singer at the Gulf of Maine Aquarium (207) 772-2321 or send email to laura@gma.org.
